Expertise

Sophie acts for a variety of clients, including beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and other interested parties, in complex domestic and international trust and probate disputes. Her work encompasses challenges to the validity of Wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the 1975 Act”), disputes over estate administration, and applications for the removal or replacement of executors and trustees. She also advises on succession matters with cross-border elements, including estates involving offshore structures or foreign law considerations. Sophie also has experience in Court of Protection matters, including contested deputyships, disputes arising from the exercise of Lasting Powers of Attorney, and applications for recognition and enforcement of foreign protective measures under the Court of Protection Rules 2017 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Experience

Sophie advises on a broad range of complex trust and probate matters. She has experience acting in high value Will validity disputes, including a multi-million-pound claim brought on behalf of minor beneficiaries involving allegations of fraudulent execution and issues relating to crypto-assets. She provides clear, strategic advice on all aspects of domestic Will validity claims, guiding clients through technically challenging and sensitive disputes with confidence and care. Sophie has significant experience representing minors in contentious matters and is adept at safeguarding their positions.

Sophie has also secured the removal of personal representatives and trustees in highly contentious disputes, achieving full recovery of costs. In addition, she has extensive expertise in bringing and defending claims under the 1975 Act, including urgent applications for interim payments. Sophie recently achieved the rare outcome of successfully defending an out-of-time claim under the 1975 Act. Her work led to the claim being dismissed in full, an adverse costs order against the claimant, and the estate being shielded from late, unmeritorious litigation that would have resulted in significant prejudice to the residuary beneficiaries.

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Education

Sophie holds a first-class law degree and completed the Legal Practice Course with Distinctions across all weighted modules. She is fully accredited by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and completed the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) course, and is a member of ConTrA.

Personal

Sophie has a passion for niche perfumery and is an avid collector, exploring unique and artisanal scents from around the world. In 2023, she had the opportunity to attend the Rose de Mai harvest with a renowned French luxury fragrance house, deepening her appreciation for the artistry and science behind fragrance creation.